METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRETREATMENT OF CUT TOBACCO PRIOR TO FEEDING IT TO SEPARATOR Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: tobacco industry. SUBSTANCE: method involves moving flow of cut tobacco by conveyor to separator; directing it through straightener for straightening of mixed tobacco heap, which may be treated in separator. Straightener has combing rolls whose peripheral rotational speed is successively increasing. Three rolls are rotated in similar direction one relative to another away from conveyor. As a result, tobacco mass moves over each roll, with fourth roll rotating in opposite direction. Combing pins on three rolls are inclined at an angle of 5 deg to normal plane in the direction of rotation. Combing pins on fourth roll are inclined at an angle of 30 deg in the direction of rotation to catch tobacco mass while it moves about lower side of roll. Straightening of tobacco mass by means of rolls ensures maximum separation of acceptable tobacco from unacceptable one. EFFECT: increased efficiency in sorting out of tobacco and enhanced reliability in operation. 7 cl, 3 dwg, 2 tbl